L.) bacterial diseases in Bolivia. FITOPATOLOGIAIn Bolivia, the assessment of potato diseases was the main objective of the potato improvement.However, the bacterial diseases were studied from 1979. The objective of the present research was tocarry out an up-to-date review about the current state affecting potato bacterial diseases in Bolivia. Thefirst reports of bacterial diseases (1979) indicate that the distribution of

Pectobacterium carotovorum

(Pcc) and

Pectobacterium atrosepticum

(Pca) in traditional areas of potato production is causing theblack leg. In 1982, it is evidenced that seemingly healthy tubers coming from different departments of Bolivia (Valley, Altiplano and highlands),

P. carotovorum

is the causal agent of the soft rot. In 1983, byfield symptoms and basic tests of laboratory and of seemingly healthy tubers coming from Valle Grande(1700-2010 m.a.s.l.), it is evidenced that the brown rot is caused by

Ralstonia solanacearum

. 1995-2000studies show that the bacterial wilt has bigger distribution and incidence in highlands and valley zones.High levels of

R. solanacearum

were detected from latent infection seed tubers produced in highlandareas. It is suspected the presence of

Clavibacter michiganensis

subsp

sepedonicus

in tubers with ring rotsymptoms. It is considered that certain relationship among the introduction to Bolivia of

tuberosum

andhybrid varieties and seed production programs and the informal production among the dissemination andincidence of bacterial wilt. The current tendency of the distribution and incidence of the bacterialdiseases in Bolivia is worsening.